Image output device, image forming device and method for generating video hard copy

ABSTRACT

A video buffer that updates and holds an inputted video signal by a unit of a frame image comprising: a image data holding unit ( 103 ) that consists of the first image data holding unit ( 103 A) that holds the latest frame image, the second image data holding unit ( 103 B) that hold the second frame image that goes back n pieces of frames in time from the first frame image and the third image data holding unit ( 103 C) that hold the third frame image that goes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frame image; a moving picture display unit ( 105 ) that displays the latest frame image held in the first image data holding unit ( 103 A); a print data selection unit ( 104 ) that selects a frame image stored in either of the first˜the third image data holding units ( 103 A˜ 103 C) as a print object; a print confirmation display unit ( 106 ) that displays the selected frame image; a print data generation unit ( 110 ) that converts the image data of the displayed image into print data and so forth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] (1) Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image output device, an imageforming device and method for generating a video hard copy to print avideo (moving images) displayed on a monitor screen and especially totechnology that identifies suitably one image to be printed.

[0003] (2) Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Conventionally, as for a method for producing a hard copy of avideo (moving images) displayed on a monitor screen of a televisionreceiver, there is a method for using an analogue video printer.

[0005] This analogue video printer is connected with a televisionreceiver and is provided with the same signal as an analogue videosignal provided to a monitor screen of the television receiver. Thisanalogue video signal is digitized in the analogue video printer and isrecorded as image data in frame memory in the analogue video printer insequence similarly to an image displayed in the monitor screen in a unitof frame.

[0006] In this case, when the analogue video printer receives aninstruction from a user to print an image, an update of the image databy the frame memory of the analogue video printer is stopped and theimage data of the image to be printed is decided. This decided imagedata are read out from the frame memory and are converted to printingdata.

[0007] Furthermore, the analogue video printer executes print processingbased on this printing data. As is described above, conventionally, oneimage displayed on the monitor screen of the television receiver isidentified and this image is printed.

[0008] However, conventionally, in the case that the user gives an printinstruction while he is watching the monitor screen of a televisionreceiver, from the time the user captures the image by vision that hewants to print to the time he instructs to print, response delay timeoccurs generally, and therefore, an image later than the image he wantsto print is printed and it is very irksome.

[0009] Additionally, from the time the analogue vide printer starts theprint processing to the time it finishes the printing processing, ittakes, generally, several seconds to several tens of seconds. Duringthis time, the video displayed on the monitor screen of the televisionreceiver is ever changing. For this reason, it is impossible to selectan image to be printed and to confirm its advisability using the monitorscreen of the television receiver. When the user tries to select animage to be printed and to confirm its advisability, until the work isdone, the video broadcast in real time is discontinued.

[0010] As is described above, in the case of printing using theconventional analogue video printer, since the image that the user doesnot want is printed and the video (the moving images) is discontinued,it is difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention toprovide a image output device and so forth that by which a user canselect the image that he wants to print with reliability in the case ofproducing a hard copy of a video (a moving picture) of televisionbroadcast and so forth displayed on a monitor screen. Further, it isalso an object of this invention to provide the image output device andso forth that can display the video (the moving picture) that isbroadcast in real time continuously without interruption while an imageis being printed.

[0012] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the image output deviceaccording to the present invention is an image output device thatoutputs an image that inputted moving image signal indicates to aprinting device comprising: a frame image holding unit operable to holdat least two frame images that are n pieces of frame images apart intime among a series of moving images by updating and holding theinputted moving image by a unit of a frame image displayed on a screen;a display unit operable to display the frame images held by the frameimage holding unit; a selection unit operable to select one frame imageamong the frame images held by the frame image holding unit according toan instruction by an operator concerning the frame image displayed onthe display unit; and an output unit operable to output the selectedframe image to the printing device.

[0013] As a result, since the present device holds at least two frameimages that are n frames apart and displays these frame images that areheld, the user can select the image that is closer to the timing hewants, considering n frames' time from confirming the image he wants toprint to executing a print instruction.

[0014] Additionally, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the imageoutput device according to the present invention is an image outputdevice that outputs an image that inputted moving image signal indicatesto a printing device comprising: a frame image holding unit operable tohold at least a latest first frame image and a second frame image thatgoes back n pieces of frame images in time from the latest first frameimage by updating and holding the inputted moving image by a unit of aframe image displayed on a screen; a display unit operable to displaythe frame images held by the frame image holding unit; a selection unitoperable to select one frame image among the frame images held by theframe image holding unit according to an instruction by an operatorconcerning the frame image displayed on the display unit; and an outputunit operable to output the selected frame image to the printing device.

[0015] As a result, since the present device updates and holds at leastthe latest frame image and two frame images that are n frames apart formthe latest frame image and displays these frame images that are held,the user can select a image that goes back n frames in time from thelatest image at the time he executes a print instruction.

[0016] Furthermore, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the imageoutput device according to the present invention is an image outputdevice that outputs an image that inputted moving image signal indicatesto a printing device comprising: a frame image holding unit operable tohold a first frame image, a second frame image that goes back n piecesof frames in time from the first frame image and a third frame imagethat goes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frame image byupdating and holding the inputted moving image by a unit of a frameimage displayed on a screen; a display unit operable to display theframe images held by the frame image holding unit; a selection unitoperable to select one frame image among the frame images held by theframe image holding unit according to an instruction by an operatorconcerning the frame image displayed on the display unit; and an outputunit operable to output the selected frame image to the printing device.

[0017] As a result, since the present device updates and holds the firstframe image, the frame images that are n frames and m frames apart fromthe first image, respectively, and displays these frame images that areheld, the user can select the image that he wants more to print betweenthe images that are n frames and m frames apart from the image at thetime when he executes a print instruction.

[0018] Moreover, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the displayunit of the image output device according to the present inventionincludes a first display unit to display the first frame image held bythe frame image holding unit and a second display unit to display atleast one frame image out of all frame images held by the frame imageholding unit in parallel with displaying by the first display unit.

[0019] As a result, the present device displays the first frame image,the frame images that are n frames and m frames apart from the firstframe image, respectively, that are updated and held, the user can seethe real time images without interruption and, at the same time, canselect the image he wants more to print between the images that are nframes and m frames apart from the latest frame images.

[0020] Furthermore, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the imageoutput device according to the present invention further comprising achange unit to change the n or the m according to an instruction fromthe operator, wherein the selection unit selects one frame image basedon the changed n or the changed m.

[0021] As a result, since the present device enables the user to changethe values of n and m that are print timing coefficients, he can setmore suitably a selection timing of the image that he wants to print bychanging the values of n and m as necessary.

[0022] Additionally, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the imageoutput device according to the present invention further comprising avideo presentation unit operable to present predetermined video thatincludes plural frame images whose frame numbers are individuallydistinguishable, wherein the change unit acquires a trial printinstruction from the operator to the video presentation unit and changesthe n or the m based on a frame image identified by the printinstruction.

[0023] As a result, since the present device presents to the user thevideo that can distinguish each frame image in advance to the initialvalues of the print timing coefficients, n and m, and changes the valuesof n and m more suitably using this video, it is not necessary for theuser to repeat modifications to determine the appropriate values of nand m.

[0024] Further, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the image outputdevice according to the present invention can be constructed to switchand display two images that are selection objects identified to beprinted and to display plural images that are selection objects inthumbnail images. It is also possible that the present invention can beconstructed to edit and process the images selected to be printed.

[0025] Furthermore, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the presentinvention can be realized as an image forming device that includes partof the characteristic components of the image output device.

[0026] Moreover, to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the presentinvention can be realized as a video hard copy generation unit with thecharacteristic components of the image output device as steps or can berealized as a program that includes all the steps. The program can notonly be stored in the built-in ROM in the device and so forth but alsobe distributed through recording medium like CD-ROM and so forth andtransmission medium like communication network and so forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description thereof taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specificembodiment of the invention. In the Drawings:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a block diagram that shows functional structures of areceiver and an image forming device according to the first embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a flowchart that shows cooperative processing of thereceiver and the image forming device according to the first embodiment.

[0030]FIG. 3 is an example of a method for identifying an image that isdisplayed on the second display unit from image data that is held in thesecond image data holding unit and the third image data holding unit.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows interrelationship of each frameimage in the case of deciding print timing coefficients n and m using alearning function of the first embodiment.

[0032]FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows processing in the case ofdeciding the print timing coefficients n and m by a learning function ofmethod 1.

[0033]FIG. 6 is a flowchart that shows processing in the case ofdeciding the print timing coefficients n and m by a learning function ofmethod 2.

[0034]FIG. 7 is a block diagram that shows functional structures of areceiver and an image forming device according to the second embodiment.

[0035]FIG. 8 is a flowchart that shows cooperative processing of thereceiver and the image forming device according to the secondembodiment.

[0036]FIG. 9 is a diagram that shows an example of a remote controldevice according to the third embodiment.

[0037]FIG. 10 is a diagram that shows relationship between buttonoperations and images selected or decided.

[0038]FIG. 11 is a pattern diagram that shows a hierarchical structureof an image that is a print object based on the identified 2 frameimages.

[0039]FIG. 12 is a diagram that shows a screen example in the case thata use specifies the part that he does not want to print according to thefourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0040] The embodiments according to the present invention will beexplained below with reference to the figures.

[0041] (The First Embodiment)

[0042] A video output device 10 according to the present embodimentcaptures image data of a video displayed on a television (hereafter,referred to as “TV”) receiver and so forth and produces a hard copybased on the image data. Moreover, hereafter, “video” means movingimages displayed on a monitor screen by TV broadcast, computer graphicsand so forth.

[0043]FIG. 1 is a block diagram that shows functional structures of areceiver 11 and an image forming device 12 that constitute the imageoutput device 10.

[0044] The receiver 11 is a device that receives TV broadcast wave andso forth transmitted by terrestrial broadcasting, BS (BroadcastingSatellite), CS (Communication Satellite) and so forth, and comprises avideo reception unit 101, a signal processing unit 102, an image dataholding unit 103, a print data selection unit 104, the first displayunit 105, the second display unit 106, an input operation unit 107, aremote control device 108, a controller 109, a print data generationunit 110, a communication port 111 and an interface processing unit 112.Moreover, each part of the receiver 11 is connected each other by a bus113, a special-purpose cable and so forth.

[0045] The video reception unit 101 receives and decodes TV broadcastwave and so forth and extracts a video synchronous signal and, at thesame time, transmits a hybrid signal that includes decoded moving imagesand text information (for example, a multiplex signal by MPEG system) tothe signal processing unit 102 through the bus 113.

[0046] The signal processing unit 102, based on the hybrid signalreceived from the video reception unit 101, generates image date in aframe unit (hereafter, referred to simply as “image data”) to bedisplayed on the first display unit 105 and the second display unit 106and transmits the image data to the image data holding unit 103 throughthe bus 113.

[0047] The image data holding unit 103 is a memory device that holds theimage data temporarily such as frame memory and so forth in order tohave a video displayed in real time or to have a user (or an operator)select the image that he wants to print with reliability. To be morespecific, the image data holding unit 103 captures the image datagenerated by the signal processing unit 102 in a frame cycle and holdsthe image data temporarily and in sequence.

[0048] Furthermore, the image data holding unit 103 comprises pluralmemorizing devices in order to hold plural image data. For example, theimage holding unit 103 comprises the first image data holding unit 103Athat holds the latest image data in order to display a TV video and soforth in real time, the second image data holding unit 103B and thethird image data holding unit 103C that hold frame images alternatelyfor a certain time (for example, 0.5 second) and update the frame imagesin sequence in order to produce a hard copy. In this case, the timing bywhich the second image data holding unit 103B and the third image dataholding unit 103C hold and update the image data is determined by thecontroller 109.

[0049] Furthermore, the first image data holding unit 103A memorizesimage data of a test video which will be explained later.

[0050] Moreover, the first image data holding unit 103A is connectedwith the first display unit 105 and the print data selection unit 104while the second image data holding unit 103B and the third image dataholding unit 103C are connected with the print data selection unit 104.

[0051] The print data selection unit 104 receives the image data heldtemporarily by the second image data holding unit 103B and the thirdimage data holding unit 103C. Furthermore, the print data selection unit104 outputs the image data of the images identified by an instruction ofthe controller 109 (for example, two images identified based on n and m)to the second display unit 106 and outputs the image data of the imageselected by a user and received through the remote control device 108and the input operation unit 107 to the bus 113.

[0052] The controller 109 is, for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)and controls the whole receiver 11 based on control program stored in abuilt-in ROM. To be more specific, the controller 109 controls switch ofchannels and display mode and so forth in the receiver 11 following theuser's instruction received through the remote control device 108, theinput operation unit 107 and the bus 113. Further, the controller 109controls, based on a built-in calendar clock and the video synchronoussignal extracted by the video reception unit 101, the timing by whichthe controller 109 holds the image data in the image data holding unit103, the timing by which the controller 109 selects the image data inthe print data selection unit 104 and the timing by which the controller109 outputs the selected image data to the bus 113. Furthermore, thecontroller 109 transmits print data generated by the print datageneration unit 110 to the image forming device 12 through thecommunication port 111 and the interface processing unit 112.

[0053] The print data generation unit 110 captures the image dataselected as a print object by the print data selection unit 104following the timing determined by the controller 109, and generatesprint data from this image data.

[0054] The communication port 111 is connected with network 13 such asWide Area Network (hereafter, referred to as “WAN”) and Local AreaNetwork (hereafter, referred to as “LAN”), and exchanges data withexternal devices (for example, the image forming device 12 and a colorprinting device with a communication function) that are connected withthe network 13.

[0055] The interface processing unit 112 converts the form of the printdata received through the controller 109 into a form that can betransmitted on the network 13. For example, the print data arepacketized conforming to MPEG system.

[0056] The image forming device 12 is a device that receives the printdata from the receiver 11, an external device, through the network 13and so forth, executes printing based on the print data, and comprisesan interface processing unit 201, a communication port 202, a print dataspooling unit 203, a controller 204 and a printer engine 205. Moreover,each component comprising the image forming device 12 is connected eachother through the bus 206.

[0057] The interface processing unit 201 takes out the print data fromdata received through the network 13 (for example, packetized dataconforming to MPEG system), and outputs the print data to thecommunication port 202.

[0058] The communication port 202, similarly to the communication port111, can be connected to the network 13 through the interface processingunit 201 and has a function to communicate with external devices.

[0059] The print data spooling unit 203, by an instruction of thecontroller 204, spools the unfolded print data and transmits the spooledprint data to the printer engine 205. Moreover, the print data spoolingunit 203 controls to execute print processing without delay by using ahigh-speed auxiliary storage (not illustrated) as a buffer.

[0060] The controller 204 is, for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)and controls the whole image forming device 12 based on control programstored in built-in ROM.

[0061] The printer engine 205 executes printing based on the print datareceived from the print data spooling unit 203. As for print methodsthis printer engine 205 adopts, there are many methods, for example, athermal transfer method (dye sublimation-type and thermal waxtransfer-type), a thermal method, an inkjet method, anelectrophotographic method and the print method is not particularlyrestricted.

[0062] Next, cooperative operations between the receiver 11 and theimage forming device 12 in the video output device 10 will be explainedreferring to FIG. 1 and the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0063] For a start, the video reception unit 101 of the receiver 11receives TV broadcast waves and so forth, generates a hybrid signal thatincludes moving images, text information and so forth, and transmits thegenerated hybrid signal and so forth to the signal processing unit 102through the bus 113 (Step S101).

[0064] In doing so, the signal processing unit 102 receives the hybridsignal from the video reception unit 101, generates image data based onthis hybrid signal and so forth, and outputs the image data to the bus113 (Step S102). Then, the controller 109 holds the generated image datatemporarily in the image data holding unit 103 (Step S103˜Step S105).

[0065] Here, a concrete method in the case that the controller 109 holdsthe image data temporarily in the first image data holding unit 103A˜thethird image data holding unit 103C is explained.

[0066] In the first image data holding unit 103A, one frame of the imagedata (the latest frame image and so forth) to display a TV video and soforth in real time is memorized and updated in a frame cycle.Additionally, in the second image data holding unit 103B and the thirdimage data holding unit 103C, the maximum Nmax frames of the image dataeach are held alternately each certain time. Consequently, by using thepresent image output device 10, as for a TV video, it is possible toprint the video maximum 2 Nmax frames ago. Here, “Nmax” is the size ofthe image data that is memorized in the second image data holding unit103B or the third image data holding unit 103C and expressed by thenumber of frames.

[0067] Operations of the second image data holding unit 103B and thethird image data holding unit 103C are further explained in detailreferring to FIG. 3. In an example of FIG. 3, for the sake ofconvenience, is shown the case that at the time T1 right after Nmaxframes of the image data are held in the second image data holding unit103B, a print instruction is inputted by a user through the remotecontrol device 108 and so forth. Consequently, by the time T1, in thesecond image data holding unit 103B and the third image data holdingunit 103C, Nmax frames each of the image data are held on a time series.

[0068] Moreover, in the first image data holding unit 103A, the imagedata of a TV video and so forth in real time are held and updated in aframe cycle (namely, every ΔT). Furthermore, when the user instructs toprint, the first image data holding unit 103A holds, by an instructionof the controller 109, the image data of the most recent image to thetime when the print instruction was given (T1). Here, “ΔT” represents aframe cycle ({fraction (1/30)} second in the case of NTSC system).

[0069] Moreover, hereafter, for the sake of convenience, the first andsecond display units 105 and 106 displays in non-interlace mode.

[0070] On the other hand, the second image data holding unit 103B andthe third image data holding unit 103C stop updating the image dataafter the time T1. At this conjuncture, in the third image data holdingunit 103C, Nmax frames of image data after the time T4 (T1−2Nmax·ΔT) areheld while in the second image data holding unit 103B, Nmax frames ofimage data after the time T3 (T1−Nmax·ΔT) are held.

[0071] Afther this, the place that holds the image data switches fromthe second image data holding unit 103B to the third image data holdingunit 103C or from the third image data holding unit 103C to the secondimage data holding unit 103B every Nmax·ΔT, the image data is held andafter Nmax·ΔT passes, the image data are overwritten (updated) by newimage data. For example, when Nmax is 15, the switch of the place thatholds the image data is made every 0.5 second.

[0072] Consequently, by the print instruction, at the time T1, imagedata 300 are held in the first image data holding unit 103A.Additionally, the image data that is n multiple of AT before the time T1is held in the second image data holding unit 103B while the image datathat is m multiplex of ΔT before the time T1 is held in the third imagedata holding unit 103C. Then, in the second image data holding unit 103Band the third image data holding unit 103C, the image data areoverwritten alternately every predetermined time (in the case that Nmaxis 15, every 0.5 second) as is described above.

[0073] As is described above, the controller 109, until the user inputsa print instruction, controls to hold Nmax frames of image data insequence in the second image data holding unit 103B or the third imagedata holding unit 103C and to update the held contents in each of theimage holding units by overwriting new image data after ΔT·Nmax passes(Step S103).

[0074] As is described above, in the first image data holding unit 103A,overwriting (updating) of the image data is repeated in a frame cycle (atime interval: ΔT) in order to display a TV video and so forth in realtime (Step S104, Step S105) In the circumstances above, when a printinstruction by the user through the remote control device 108 isinputted (Step S106), the controller 109 stops holding and updating theimage data in the second and the third image data holding units 103B and103C (Step S107).

[0075] After this, the controller 109 determines two frame images at acertain time (for example, after n·Δ and m·Δ pass from the time T1)among the image data held in the second and the third image data holdingunits 103B and 103C and controls to have these two images displayed onthe second display unit 106. In this case, “n·ΔT” and “m·ΔT” represent,in the case that the user instructs to print at the time T1, the twotimes when the probability that the image that the user wants to printexists around the two times is expected to be high. The user can set andchange the values of these n and m (n<m: both of them are positiveintegers) through the remote control device 108 and so forth.

[0076] Next, the user identifies the image to be printed (for example,one of the above-mentioned two images) (Step S108: Yes), the print datageneration unit 110 generates print data from the image data of theidentified image (Step S109). In doing this, the controller 109transmits the generated print data to the image forming device 12 (StepS110).

[0077] After this, the image forming device 12 receives the print datathrough the network 13, the interface processing unit 201 and thecommunication port 202 and, after spooling processing is done in theprint data spooling unit 203, prints in the printer engine 205 based onthe received print data (S111).

[0078] As is described above, among the image data held in the secondand the third image data holding units 103B and 103C, the image that theuser selects should be the image at the time T1−n·ΔT and the image atthe time T1−m·ΔT and the user can set and change the values of n and m.Consequently, the user who uses the image output device according to thepresent embodiment can print the suitable video, in the case of printinga TV video and so forth, by adjusting the values of n and mappropriately, since the image that is the print object is identifiedconsidering the user's personal characteristics (response time and soforth).

[0079] Furthermore, it is acceptable to present a predetermined video tothe user, have him/her try to instruct to print several times, to obtainthe difference in the number of frames between the image at the timewhen the user instructs to print and the image selected by the user andto decide the most suitable values of n and m considering thedifference. For example, there are the following methods.

[0080] (The first method) In the case of instructing to print two times,the values of n and m are determined by the first print instruction andadvisability of the values of n and m is confirmed by the next printinstruction.

[0081] (The second method) In the case of instructing to print severaltimes (for example, three times), the values of n and m are determinedbased on a mean value of the above-mentioned difference.

[0082] Hereafter, the above-mentioned n and m are referred to as “printtiming coefficients” and the function that decides n and m using thepredetermined video is referred to as “learning function”.

[0083] Here, in order to determine suitable print timing coefficients nand m, a particular test video is used. Additionally, in order to graspmore accurately the timing characteristic when the user instructs toprint (namely, the difference in the number of frames between theproximate image at the time when the print instruction is made and theimage that the user actually wants to print), the test video whoseadjacent images change noticeably is preferable.

[0084] Furthermore, in order to grasp with precision the difference inthe number of frames between the image that the user selects whilewatching the frame images that are held (namely, he wants to print) andthe image that is decided by the above-mentioned n and m, theinformation to distinguish each frame image, for example, the successivenumbers that represent the frame images (hereafter, referred to as“frame image number”) are added to each frame image of the particulartest video.

[0085] Hereafter, a practical example in which the timing coefficients nand m for each user are determined by the learning function using thetest video in which the frame image numbers are added to each frameimage is explained concretely using FIG. 4˜FIG. 6.

[0086]FIG. 4 is a diagram that shows interrelationship of each frameimage in the case of deciding print timing coefficients n and m usingthe above-mentioned learning function. In FIG. 4, the time axis isdefined in the direction from left to right, the style by which theframe images are held in sequence from left is shown.

[0087] As is shown in FIG. 4, the frame image number of the image 405proximate to the time when the user instructs to print is defined as FI;the frame image number of the image 404 that is n frames before theimage whose frame image number is FI (hereafter, referred to as “imageFI”) is defined as Fn; the frame image number of the image 401 that is mframes before the image FI is defined as Fm; the frame image number ofthe image 403 that is intermediate (hereafter, referred to as“intermediate image”) between the image whose frame image number is Fn(hereafter, referred to as “image Fn”) and the image whose frame imagenumber is Fm (hereafter, referred to as “image Fm”) is defined as Fc;and the image frame number of the object image 402 selected by the useris defined as Ft. In this case, the difference in the number of framesbetween the image whose frame image number is Ft (hereafter, referred toas “image Ft”) and the image whose frame image number is Fc (hereafter,referred to as “image Fc”) is the frame number A F that should becorrected to the print timing coefficients n and m.

[0088] Moreover, in FIG. 4, although the position of image Ft issituated between the image Fm and the image Fc, it is not always so. Theimage Ft may be situated left to the image Fm or may be situated rightto the image Fn and so forth.

[0089]FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows processing in the case ofdeciding the print timing coefficients n and m by a learning function ofthe method 1. In this case, the initial values for the print timingcoefficients n and m are set in advance.

[0090] For a start, the controller 109 reads out the image data of thetest video memorized in the first image data holding unit 103A andcontrols each unit in order to display the test video on the firstdisplay unit 105 (Step S501).

[0091] Next, the input operation unit 107 receives the first instructionto print the test video from the user through the remote control device108 and so forth and identifies the time TI when this instruction isreceived (Step S502).

[0092] After this, the input operation unit 107 receives selection of anobject image and identifies the frame image number Ft of the objectimage (Step S503). In doing this, the controller 109 identifies theimage Fn that is n frames before the image FI and the image Fm that is mframes before the image FI, and further identifies the intermediateimage Fc (Step S504).

[0093] When the controller 109 receives the selection of the objectimage Ft from the user, the controller 109 controls in order that thetest video is displayed by the unit of frame (for example,frame-by-frame) on the second display unit 106.

[0094] Then, the controller 109 compares the temporal context betweenthe object image Ft and the intermediate image Fc as are identifiedabove (Step S505), in the case that the intermediate image Fc goes aheadof the object image Ft (Step S506: Yes), the value of (Fc−Ft) is addedto each of the print timing coefficients n and m in order that acorrection is made. On the other hand, in the case that the intermediateimage Fc does not go ahead of the object image Ft (Step S506: No), thevalue of (Ft−Fc) is deducted from each of the print timing coefficientsn and m in order that the correction is made (Step S508).

[0095] In doing this, when the first correction of the print timingcoefficients n and m is completed, the controller 109, when it receivesthe second instruction to print the test video from the user, identifiesthe time TI′ (Step S509). Further, the controller 109 identifies theimage FI′ proximate to the time TI′ and identifies the second objectimage Ft′ selected by the user and the image Fn′ and the image Fm′ basedon the print timing coefficients n and m after the above-mentionedcorrection (Step S510). Furthermore, the controller 109 judges whetherthe object image Ft′ is between the image Fn′ and the image Fm′ or not(Step S511). In the case that the object image Ft′ is between the imageFn′ and the image Fm′ (Step S511: Yes), the controller 109 stores thecorrected print timing coefficients n and m associated with informationto identify the user (for example, User ID and so forth) in the firstimage data holding unit 103A (Step S512), and completes the presentprocessing.

[0096] On the other hand, in the case that the object image Ft′ is notbetween the image Fn′ and the image Fm′ (Step S511: No), the controller109 controls to begin again from the processing of the first printinstruction (Step S501˜Step S511).

[0097] Moreover, in order to determine the suitable timing coefficientsn and m for each individual, it is desirable to try the above-mentionedlearning plural times (for example, 2˜3 times).

[0098]FIG. 6 is a flowchart that shows processing in the case ofdeciding the print timing coefficients n and m by the learning functionof method 2. In this case also, similarly to the method 1, the initialvalues for the print timing coefficients n and m are set in advance.

[0099] For a start, the controller 109 initializes a counter i (i=1)(Step S601) and, at the same time, reads out the image data of the testvideo memorized in the first image data holding unit 103A and controlseach unit in order to display the test video on the first display unit105 (Step S602).

[0100] Next, the input operation unit 107 receives an instruction toprint the test video through the remote control device 108. Thecontroller 109 identifies the time TIi when the print instruction isreceived and the frame image number FIi of the image proximate to thetime TIi (Step S603).

[0101] Further, the input operation unit 107 receives a selection of anobject image from the user. In doing this, the controller 109 identifiesthe frame image number Fti of the selected object image (Step S604) and,at the same time, identifies the image Fni that is n frames before theimage FIi, the image Fmi that is m frames before the image FIi and theintermediate image Fci that is intermediate between the image Fni andthe image Fmi (Step S605). Moreover, when the input operation unit 107receives the selection of the object image, the controller 109 controlsin order that the test video is displayed on the second display unit 106by the unit of frame (for example, frame-by-frame advance).

[0102] In doing this, the controller 109 compares the temporal contextbetween the object image Fti and the intermediate image Fci as areidentified above, calculates the difference in the number of framesbetween the object image Fti and the intermediate image Fci, ΔFi(Fci−Fti) and memorizes ΔFi in a built-in memory (Step S606). Further,the controller 109 judges whether the above-mentioned processing is donefor the predetermined times (for example, three times) or not (StepS607). In the case that the predetermined times are not met (Step S607:No), the controller 109 increases the value of the counter i by 1 (StepS608) and repeats the above-mentioned processing (Steps S602˜S607).

[0103] On the other hand, in the case that the above-mentionedprocessing is done for the predetermined times (Step 607: Yes), thecontroller 109 calculates the mean value ΔFa of the difference ΔFi,corrects the values of the print timing coefficients n and m (StepS610), and stores the corrected n and m associated with information toidentify the user (for example, User ID and so forth) in the first imagedata holding unit 103A (Step S611), and completes the presentprocessing.

[0104] As is described above, using the image output device according tothe present embodiment, even in the case of producing a hard copy of avideo, it is possible to avoid an interruption in the video displayed ona monitor screen and have the user select suitably the image he wants.

[0105] Moreover, the receiver 11 is not limited to a receiver for TVbroadcast waves, but includes a receiver that receives image datadistributed on a network such as Internet and so forth and displaysmoving images based on the image data.

[0106] Additionally, even in the case of producing a hard copy of avideo after recording a video in a record/replay device temporarily,replaying the image data, it goes without saying that it is easier toselect the scene the user wants with reliability.

[0107] Additionally, in the present embodiment, an example in which theimage data are held in the second and the third image data holding units103B and 103C and the image data that are the print objects are selectedis explained, but the number of image data holding units to hold imagedata that are print objects are not limited to this, but it isrecommendable to decide an appropriate number comparing and thinking inview of the image data quantity that can be held, an increase in cost ofa device by increasing memory area and so forth.

[0108] Additionally, by determining the values of the timingcoefficients n and m for each user by the learning function and storingthe values associated with the user identification information, it ispossible to correct the deviation of timing for each user between theimage that he wants to print and the image identified by actuallyinstructing to print, and therefore it is possible to print the objectimage with reliability. Further, it is possible to fine-tune the printtiming coefficients n and m to the most appropriate values for each userthrough the remote control device 108 and so forth.

[0109] (The Second Embodiment)

[0110] In the first embodiment, a practical example in which thereceiver includes the second display unit, the second and the thirdimage data holding units is indicated, but in the second embodiment, apractical example in which the image forming device includes the seconddisplay unit, the second and the third image data holding units isindicated.

[0111]FIG. 7 is a block diagram that shows functional structures of areceiver 21 and a image forming device 22 that constitute an imageoutput device 20 according to the second embodiment.

[0112] The different points between the structure shown in FIG. 7 andthe structure shown in FIG. 1 are that, as is stated above, the receiver21 according to the second embodiment does not include the second imagedata holding unit 103B, the third image data holding unit 103C, theprint data selection unit 104, the second display unit 106 and the printdata generation unit 110 in the receiver 11 according to the firstembodiment and that the image forming device 22 according to the secondembodiment includes the second image data holding unit 207B, the thirdimage data holding unit 207C, print data selection unit 208, the seconddisplay unit 209 and the print data generation unit 210.

[0113] The receiver 21, similarly to the receiver 11 according to thefirst embodiment, is a device that receives TV broadcast wave and soforth transmitted by the terrestrial broadcasting, BS (BroadcastingSatellite), CS (Communication Satellite) and so forth, and comprises thevideo reception unit 101, the signal processing unit 102, the inputoperation unit 107, the remote control device 108, a controller 219, thefirst image data holding unit 103A, the communication port 111 and theinterface processing unit 112. Moreover, each component of the receiver21 is connected each other by a bus 113, a special-purpose cable and soforth.

[0114] The video reception unit 101 receives and decodes TV broadcastwave and so forth and extracts a video synchronous signal and transmitsa hybrid signal similar to that of the first embodiment to the signalprocessing unit 102 through the bus 113.

[0115] The signal processing unit 102, based on the hybrid signalreceived from the video reception unit 101, generates image data of avideo to be displayed on the first display unit 105 and transmits theimage data to the first image data holding unit 103A through the bus113.

[0116] The first image data holding unit 103A is a memory device thatholds the image data temporarily such as frame memory and so forth inorder to have the video displayed in real time. Further, the first imagedata holding unit 103A, when the user instructs to print, holds theimage data of the image proximate to the time (T1) when the userinstructs to print by an instruction of the controller 219. Here, “ΔT”indicates a frame cycle ({fraction (1/30)} second in the case of NTSCsystem)

[0117] The controller 219 is, for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)and controls the whole receiver 21 based on control program stored inbuilt-in ROM. To be more specific, the controller 219 detects whetherthe image forming device 22 is connected to the receiver 21 or not. Inthe case that they are connected, the controller 219 transmits the imagedata held by the first image data holding unit 103A to the image formingdevice 22 through the bus 113, the communication port 111 and theinterface processing unit 112. In this case, the controller 219controls, based on a built-in calendar clock and the video synchronoussignal extracted by the video reception unit 101, the timing by whichthe controller 219 holds the image data in the first image data holdingunit 103A, the timing by which the controller 219 transmits the imagedata to the image forming device 22. Additionally, the controller 219controls the operations of the receiver 21 (for example, switch ofchannels, a display mode and so forth) following the instruction by theuser received through the remote control device 108, the input operationunit 107 and the bus 113.

[0118] The communication port 111 is connected to the network 13 such asWAN, LAN and so forth through the interface processing unit 112, andexchanges data with external devices (for example, the image formingdevice 22 and a color printing device with a communication function)that are connected with the network 13.

[0119] The interface processing unit 112 converts the form of the imagedata received from the controller 219 into a form that can betransmitted on the network 13. For example, the image data arepacketized conforming to MPEG system.

[0120] The image forming device 22 is a device that receives the imagedata from the receiver 21, an external device, through the network 13and so forth and print a hard copy and so forth based on this imagedata, and comprises an interface processing unit 201, a communicationport 202, a image data holding unit 207, a print data generation unit210, a print data spooling unit 203, a controller 204, a printer engine205, an input operation unit 211 and a remote control device 212.Moreover, each component that constitutes the image forming device 22 isconnected each other by a bus 206, a special-purpose cable and so forth.

[0121] The communication port 202 is connected to the network 13 throughthe interface processing unit 201 and has a function to communicate withexternal devices of the image forming device 22.

[0122] The image data holding unit 207 is a memory device that holds theimage data temporarily such as a frame memory and so forth in order tohave the user select the image that he wants to print with reliability.To be more specific, the image data holding unit 207 captures the imagedata received through the interface processing unit 201 and thecommunication port 202 in a frame cycle and hold the image data insequence temporarily.

[0123] Furthermore, the image data holding unit 207 comprises pluralmemorizing devices in order to hold plural image data. For example, toproduce a hard copy of a video, it comprises the second image dataholding unit 207B and the third image data holding unit 207C that holdthe image data alternately for the predetermined time (for example, 0.5second).

[0124] In this case, the timing by which the image data are held in thesecond image data holding unit 207B and the third image data holdingunit 207C is determined by the controller 204. Moreover, the secondimage data holding unit 207B and the third image data holding unit 207Care connected to the print data selection unit 208.

[0125] The print data selection unit 208 receives the image data heldtemporarily in the second image data holding unit 207B and the thirdimage data holding unit 207C. Further, the print data selection unit 208outputs the image data of the image identified by an instruction of thecontroller 204 (for example, two images identified based on n and m) tothe second display unit 209 and outputs the image data of the imageselected by the user and received through the remote control device 212,the input operation unit 211 and so forth to the bus 206.

[0126] The controller 204 is, for example, CPU (Central Processing Unit)and controls the whole image forming device 22 based on control programstored in built-in ROM. To be more specific, when a print instruction ofthe user is received, the controller 204 stops updating the image datain the second image data holding unit 207B and the third image dataholding unit 207C. Additionally, the controller 204 determines the frameimage number of the image to be printed following an instruction of theuser received through the remote control device 212, the input operationunit 211 and the bus 206.

[0127] The print data generation unit 210 captures the image data of theimage selected at the print data selection unit 208 following the timingthat the controller 204 determines through the bus 206 and generatesprint data from this image data.

[0128] The print data spooling unit 203, by an instruction of thecontroller 204, spools the print data and transmits the spooled printdata to the printer engine 205. In other words, the print data spoolingunit 203 controls to execute print processing without delay by using ahigh-speed auxiliary storage (not illustrated) as a buffer.

[0129] The printer engine 205 executes printing based on the print datareceived from the print data spooling unit 203. As for print methodsthis printer engine 205 adopts, there are many methods, for example, athermal transfer method (dye sublimation-type and thermal waxtransfer-type), a thermal method, an inkjet method, anelectrophotographic method and the print method is not particularlyrestricted.

[0130] Next, cooperative operations between the receiver 21 and theimage forming device 22 in the video output device 20 will be explainedreferring to FIG. 7 and the flowchart of FIG. 8.

[0131] For a start, the receiver 21 receives TV broadcast waves and soforth at the video reception unit 101, generates a hybrid signal thatincludes moving images, text information and so forth, and transmits thegenerated hybrid signal and so forth to the signal processing unit 102through the bus 113 (Step S201).

[0132] Next, the signal processing unit 102 receives the hybrid signalfrom the video reception unit 101 and generates image data (Step S202).The generated image data are stored in the first image data holding unit103A temporarily through the bus 113 (Step S203).

[0133] The generated image data are transmitted to the first displayunit 105 in real time in sequence and the first display unit 105displays the video in real time (Step S204).

[0134] Next, the controller 219 makes sure whether the image formingdevice 22 is connected to the receiver 21 or not at a predeterminedinterval (for example, every second) (Step S205). In the case that theimage forming device 22 is not connected to the receiver 21 (Step S206:No), the above-mentioned processing is repeated (Steps S201˜S206).

[0135] On the other hand, in the case that the image forming device 22is connected to the receiver 21 (Step S206: Yes), the controller 219transmits the image data held in the first image data holding unit 103Ato the image forming device 22 in sequence (Step S207).

[0136] In doing this, the image forming device 22 receives the imagedata transmitted by the receiver 21 and holds the image data in thesecond image data holding unit 207B or the third data holding unit 207Calternately and in sequence (Step S208). Moreover, each image data isoverwritten in ΔT·Nmax.

[0137] After this, when the user inputs a print instruction (Step S209),the controller 204 stops updating the image data in the second imagedata holding unit 207B and the third image data holding unit 207C at thetime the print instruction has been received (Step S210).

[0138] In doing this, out of the image data held in the second imagedata holding unit 207B and the third image data holding unit 207C, theimage data of the two predetermined frames (for example, T1−n·ΔT andT1−m·ΔT) are selected and displayed on the second display unit 209. Atthis conjuncture, the print data selection unit 208 switches the twoimages displayed on the second display unit 209 based on an instructionfrom the user inputted through the remote control device 108 and theinput operation unit 211.

[0139] After this, the image to be printed is identified by the user(Step S211), the print data generation unit 210 generates print datafrom the image data of the identified print object (Step S212).

[0140] The controller 204 transmits the print data generated by theprint data generation unit 210 to the print data spooling unit 203. Theprint data spooling unit 203 executes spooling processing of thereceived print data and transmits the print data to the printer engine205 as is necessary. The printer engine 205 executes printing based onthe print data received from the print data spooling unit 203 (StepS213).

[0141] As is described above, among the image data held by the secondand third image data holding units 207B and 207C, let the imagesselected by the user be the image at the time T1−n·ΔT and the image atthe time T1−m·ΔT. The user can set and change the values of n and m.Consequently, in the case of printing TV video and so forth, byadjusting the values of n and m as necessary, since the image of theprint object is identified considering the user's characteristics(response time and so forth), the user using the image output deviceaccording to the present embodiment can print a suitable image.

[0142] Moreover, the receiver 21 is not limited to a receiver of TVbroadcast wave, but includes the case of receiving image datadistributed on the network such as Internet and so forth and displayingmoving images based on the image data.

[0143] Moreover, in the present embodiment, an example in which twogroups of the image data are held in the second and the third image dataholding units and the image data that are the print objects are selectedis explained, but the number of image data holding units to hold imagedata that are print objects are not limited to this, but it isrecommendable to decide an appropriate number in view of the image dataquantity that can be held, an increase in cost of a device by increasingmemory area and so forth.

[0144] Additionally, it is possible that the structure of the imageoutput device 20 includes, as the first embodiment, the learningfunction to determine the print timing coefficients n and m.

[0145] (The Third Embodiment)

[0146] In the third embodiment, operations of a remote control device toinstruct printing according to the image output device 10 are explainedreferring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

[0147]FIG. 9 is an external view of the remote control device 108according to the present embodiment and FIG. 10 is a diagram that showsrelationship between two frame images identified by receiving aninstruction to print from the user and operations of the remote controldevice 108.

[0148] For a start, until the user pushes down a printing multiplebutton 601, the image data are continuously updated in the second imagedata holing unit 103B and the third image data holing unit 103C. Thisstate is a state waiting for an input from the user 701.

[0149] Next, when the user pushes down the printing multiple button 601once (let this time be the time T1 in FIG. 3), the update of the secondimage holding unit 103B and the third image holding unit 103C stops andtwo frame images are identified from among the second image holding unit103B and the third image holding unit 103C. In this case, the identifiedframe images are the images of the frames held by the timing at thepredetermined time before the time T1, for example, n times and m timesof ΔT before T1, respectively, the time Tn (Tn=T1−n·ΔT) and the timeTm(Tm=T1−m·ΔT).

[0150] Out of the two identified images, the image at the time Tn isdisplayed tentatively on the second display unit 106.

[0151] After this, every time the user pushes down the printing multiplebutton 601, the image at the time Tn and the image at the time Tm aredisplayed alternately. Further, in the case that the user makes “a longpush (for example, more than 2 seconds)”, the image at that time isdetermined as the image of the print object.

[0152] Up to this point, the case of selecting the 2 images identifiedbased on the print timing coefficients n and m is explained, but it ispossible to construct the image output device 10 to select many moreframe images as the print objects.

[0153]FIG. 11 is a pattern diagram that shows a hierarchical structureof an image that is a print object based on the identified 2 frameimages. Moreover, in FIG. 11, for the sake of convenience, similarly tothe first embodiment, let the all images that can be held in the imagedata holding units 103B and 103C be 30 frames and suppose that eachframe image number is “1” to “30”.

[0154] As is indicated in FIG. 11, in the case that 2 images areidentified based on the print timing coefficients n and m (for example,let these two frame numbers be “16” and “22”), the controller 109,automatically, identifies the image “14” and the image “18” for theimage “16” (frame A) and identifies the image “20” and the image “24”for the image “22” (frame B).

[0155] In the case of selecting the image “14” the image “24” as areidentified above (when selection is made using the remote control deviceof FIG. 9), the image “16” and the image “22” switches every time theprinting multiple button 601 is push down. Further, when the image “16”is displayed, the image “14” is selected in the case that the leftbutton 605 is pushed down while the image “18” is selected in the casethat the right button 606 is pushed down. Moreover, in the case ofselecting the image “20”˜the image “24”, the similar operations aredone.

[0156] (The Fourth Embodiment)

[0157] In the fourth embodiment, the case that the image data are editedand processed as appropriate after the print data are determined isexplained.

[0158] It is acceptable to edit and process the image data of the printobject after the print data are determined in the third embodiment. Forexample, it is acceptable to delete part of the image data that the userdoes not want to print by specifying the area of the image data to bedeleted through the remote control device and to adjust the position ofthe image data after this unnecessary part is deleted.

[0159]FIG. 12 is a diagram that shows how the user specifies the part hedoes not want to print as is described above.

[0160] In doing this, in the case that the part that the user does notwant to print is mixed with the image data of the print object, it ispossible to delete the part he does not want to print and to print thepart he really wants to print.

[0161] Moreover, in the first and second embodiments, a practicalexample in which the user identifies the image that he wants based onthe two frames that are m frames or n frames apart from the latest firstframe image is explained, but naturally it is acceptable to identify theimage that he wants based on one frame that is n frames apart from thelatest first frame image and further it is acceptable to identify thetwo frame images by supposing that the space between the two frameimages is n frames.

[0162] Additionally, in the first embodiment, a practical example inwhich the print timing coefficients n and m change based on the testvideo is explained, but naturally it is acceptable to use an ordinaryvideo. In this case, for example, it is acceptable to identify the frameimage that is the standard in the video and to uniquely identify eachframe image based on this standard frame image.

[0163] Further, in the first and second embodiments, a practical examplein which the user selects the image that he wants to print by switchingthe image data displayed on the second display unit at the print dataselection unit is explained, but it is acceptable that the user selectsthe image that he wants to print by displaying plural image data at thesame time (a thumb nail display) on the second display unit.

[0164] Additionally, in the first embodiment, the receiver 11 and theimage forming device 12 are connected through the network 13, but it isacceptable to connect them through the wireless LAN such as Bluetooth,IEEE802.11b and so forth and a special-purpose cable such as IEEE1394,USB and so forth.

[0165] Furthermore, in the first to the fourth embodiments, as the imageoutput device to which the present invention is applied, the receiverthat receives TV broadcast waves and so forth transmitted by aterrestrial broadcast wave, BS (Broadcasting Satellite), CS(Communication Satellite) and so forth is explained as an example, butthe image output device is not limited to this and a portable terminalthat can receive digital terrestrial broadcasting is acceptable.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image output device that outputs an image thatinputted moving image signal indicates to a printing device comprising:a frame image holding unit operable to hold at least two frame imagesthat are n pieces of frame images apart in time among a series of movingimages by updating and holding the inputted moving image by a unit of aframe image displayed on a screen; a display unit operable to displaythe frame images held by the frame image holding unit; a selection unitoperable to select one frame image among the frame images held by theframe image holding unit according to an instruction by an operatorconcerning the frame image displayed on the display unit; and an outputunit operable to output the selected frame image to the printing device.2. An image output device that outputs an image that inputted movingimage signal indicates to a printing device comprising: a frame imageholding unit operable to hold at least a latest first frame image and asecond frame image that goes back n pieces of frame images in time fromthe latest first frame image by updating and holding the inputted movingimage by a unit of a frame image displayed on a screen; a display unitoperable to display the frame images held by the frame image holdingunit; a selection unit operable to select one frame image among theframe images held by the frame image holding unit according to aninstruction by an operator concerning the frame image displayed on thedisplay unit; and an output unit operable to output the selected frameimage to the printing device.
 3. An image output device that outputs animage that inputted moving image signal indicates to a printing devicecomprising: a frame image holding unit operable to hold a first frameimage, a second frame image that goes back n pieces of frames in timefrom the first frame image and a third frame image that goes back mpieces of frames in time from the first frame image by updating andholding the inputted moving image by a unit of a frame image displayedon a screen; a display unit operable to display the frame images held bythe frame image holding unit; a selection unit operable to select oneframe image among the frame images held by the frame image holding unitaccording to an instruction by an operator concerning the frame imagedisplayed on the display unit; and an output unit operable to output theselected frame image to the printing device.
 4. The image output deviceaccording to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the display unit includes afirst display unit to display the first frame image held by the frameimage holding unit and a second display unit to display at least oneframe image out of all frame images held by the frame image holding unitin parallel with displaying by the first display unit.
 5. The imageoutput device according to claim 4 further comprising a change unit tochange the n or the m according to an instruction from the operator,wherein the selection unit selects one frame image based on the changedn or the changed m.
 6. The image output device according to claim 5further comprising a video presentation unit operable to presentpredetermined video that includes plural frame images whose framenumbers are individually distinguishable, wherein the change unitacquires a trial print instruction from the operator to the videopresentation unit and changes the n or the m based on a frame imageidentified by the print instruction.
 7. The image output deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the change unit includes: a trial printreception unit to receive a trial print instruction from the operator; atrial selection reception unit to receive a selection of a frame imagethat the operator wants to print on trial; a correction unit to correctthe n and the m based on the difference between the frame number of theframe image at the time when the trial print is instructed and the framenumber of the frame image selected for the trial printing; aconfirmation print reception unit to receive a print instruction forconfirmation from the operator; and a judgment unit to judgeadvisability of the corrected n or m based on the print instruction forconfirmation.
 8. The image output device according to claim 6, whereinthe change unit includes: a trial print reception unit to receive pluraltrial print instructions from the operator; a trial selection receptionunit to receive a selection of a frame image that the operator wants toprint for each of the trial print instruction; and a correction unit tocalculate the difference between the frame number of the frame image atthe time the print instruction is given and the frame number of theimage selected for the trial print for each of the trial printinstruction and to correct the n or the m based on the mean value of thedifference.
 9. The image output device according to claims 1˜3 furthercomprising: a print instruction unit operable to have a printinstruction button to instruct printing a frame image; and a printcontrol unit operable to stop updating frame images in the frame imageholding unit when the print instruction button is pushed down, andsubsequently to switch frame images held by the frame holding unit andto have the frame images displayed on the display unit every time theprint instruction button is pushed down, and to further output the frameimage that is displayed on the display unit to the output unit in thecase a predetermined operation to determine the print object by theprint instruction button is performed.
 10. The image output deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the print control unit supposes that thepredetermined operation to determine the print object is performed inthe case that the print instruction button is pushed down for more thana finite time and outputs the frame image that is displayed on thedisplay unit to the output unit.
 11. The image output device accordingto claim 9, wherein the print control unit supposes that thepredetermined operation to determine the print object is performed inthe case that the print instruction button is pushed down plural timesat a finite time interval and outputs the frame image that is displayedon the display unit to the output unit.
 12. The image output deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the second display unit displays pluralframe images held in the frame image holding unit in thumbnail imagesafter an update of an frame image in the frame image holding unit isstopped by the print control unit.
 13. The image output device accordingto claim 9 further comprising an image edition unit operable to edit theframe images held in the frame image holding unit according to aninstruction from the operator after an update of an frame image in theframe image holding unit is stopped by the print control unit, whereinthe output unit outputs the frame image edited by the image edition unitto the printing device.
 14. The image output device according to claim13, wherein the image edition unit cuts away an unnecessary part of theframe image according to an instruction from the operator and adjuststhe position of the frame image after the unnecessary part is cut away.15. An image forming device that receives a moving image signal by aunit of a frame image that is displayed on a screen and generates printdata comprising: a frame image holding unit operable to hold pluralframe images by updating and holding received frame images; a selectionunit operable to select one frame image among the frame images held bythe frame image holding unit according to an instruction from anoperator; and a print data generation unit operable to generate printdata to print the frame image from the selected frame image.
 16. Animage forming device that receives a moving image signal by a unit of aframe image that is displayed on a screen from an image output device towhich the moving image signal is inputted and generates print datacomprising: a frame image holding unit operable to receive and hold asecond frame image that goes back n pieces of frames in time from thefirst frame image held in the image output device and a third frameimage that goes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frameimage from the image output device; a selection unit operable to selectone frame image among the frame images held by the frame image holdingunit according to an instruction from an operator; and a print datageneration unit operable to generate print data to print the frame imagefrom the selected frame image.
 17. The image forming device according toclaim 16, wherein the image output device further comprises a changeunit to acquire a new n or a new m and to change the n or the m, and theselection unit selects one frame image based on the changed n or thechanged m.
 18. The image forming device according to claim 15 or claim16 further comprising: a print instruction unit operable to have a printinstruction button to instruct printing a frame image; and a printcontrol unit operable to stop outputting the frame images when the printinstruction button is pushed down and transmission to the effect is madeto the image output device, and subsequently to switch frame images heldby the frame holding unit and to have the frame images displayed on thedisplay unit every time the print instruction button is pushed down, andto further output the frame image that is displayed on the display unitto the output unit in the case a predetermined operation to determinethe print object by the print instruction button is performed.
 19. Theimage forming device according to claim 18, wherein the print controlunit supposes that the predetermined operation to determine the printobject is performed in the case that the print instruction button ispushed down for more than a finite time and outputs the frame image thatis displayed on the display unit to the output unit.
 20. The imageforming device according to claim 18, wherein the print control unitsupposes that the predetermined operation to determine the print objectis performed in the case that the print instruction button is pusheddown plural times at a finite time interval and outputs the frame imagethat is displayed on the display unit to the output unit. 21 The imageforming device according to claim 18, wherein the display unit displaysplural frame images held in the frame image holding unit in thumbnailimages after an output of an frame image from the image output device isstopped by the print control unit.
 22. The image forming deviceaccording to claim 18 further comprising an image edition unit operableto edit the frame images held in the frame image holding unit accordingto an instruction from the operator after an output of an frame imagefrom the image forming device is stopped by the print control unit,wherein the print data generation unit generates print data of the frameimage edited by the image edition unit.
 23. The image forming deviceaccording to claim 22, wherein the image edition unit cuts away anunnecessary part of the frame image according to an instruction from theoperator and adjusts the position of the frame image after theunnecessary part is cut away.
 24. A method for generating a hard copy ofvideo by outputting an image that an inputted moving image signalindicates to a printing device comprising: a frame image holding stepfor holding at least two frame images that are n pieces of frame imagesapart in time among a series of moving images by updating and holdingthe inputted moving image by a unit of a frame image displayed on ascreen; a display step for displaying the frame images held by the frameimage holding step; a selection step for selecting one frame image amongthe frame images held by the frame image holding step according to aninstruction by an operator concerning the frame image displayed on thedisplay step; and an output step for outputting the selected frame imageto the printing device.
 25. A method for generating a hard copy of videoby outputting an image that an inputted moving image signal indicates toa printing device comprising: a frame image holding step for holding afirst frame image, a second frame image that goes back n pieces offrames in time from the first frame image and a third frame image thatgoes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frame image byupdating and holding the inputted moving image by a unit of a frameimage displayed on a screen; a display step for displaying the frameimages held by the frame image holding step; a selection step forselecting one frame image among the frame images held by the frame imageholding step according to an instruction by an operator concerning theframe image displayed on the display step; and an output step foroutputting the selected frame image to the printing device.
 26. Thevideo hard copy generation method according to claim 24 or claim 25further comprising a change step for changing the n or the m accordingto an instruction from the operator, wherein the selection step selectsone frame image based on the changed n or the changed m.
 27. The videohard copy generation method according to claim 26 further comprising avideo presentation step for presenting predetermined video that includesplural frame images whose frame numbers are individuallydistinguishable, wherein the change step acquires a trial printinstruction from the operator to the video presentation step and changesthe n or the m based on a frame image identified by the printinstruction.
 28. The video hard copy generation method according toclaim 27, wherein the change step includes: a trial print reception substep for receiving a trial print instruction from the operator; a trialselection reception sub step for receiving a selection of a frame imagethat the operator wants to print on trial from the operator; acorrection sub step for correcting the n and the m based on thedifference between the frame number of the frame image at the time whenthe trial print is instructed and the frame number of the frame imageselected for the trial printing; a confirmation print reception sub stepfor receiving a print instruction for confirmation from the operator;and a judgment sub step for judging advisability of the corrected n or mbased on the print instruction for confirmation.
 29. The video hard copygeneration method according to claim 27, wherein the change stepincludes: a trial print reception sub step for receiving plural trialprint instructions from the operator; a trial selection reception substep for receiving a selection of a frame image that the operator wantsto print for each of the trial print instruction from the operator; anda correction sub step for calculating the difference between the framenumber of the frame image at the time the print instruction is given andthe frame number of the image selected for the trial print for each ofthe trial print instruction and for correcting the n or the m based onthe mean value of the difference.
 30. The video hard copy generationmethod according to claim 24 or claim 25 further comprising a printcontrol step for stopping updating frame images in the frame imageholding step when the print instruction button is pushed down, andsubsequently for switching and displaying frame images held by the frameholding step every time the print instruction button is pushed down, andfor further outputting the frame image that is displayed in the case apredetermined operation to determine the print object by the printinstruction button is performed.
 31. The video hard copy generationmethod according to claim 30, wherein in the print control step it issupposed that the predetermined operation to determine the print objectis performed in the case that the print instruction button is pusheddown for more than a finite time and the frame image that is displayedis outputted.
 32. The video hard copy generation method according toclaim 30, wherein in the print control step it is supposed that thepredetermined operation to determine the print object is performed inthe case that the print instruction button is pushed down plural timesat a finite time interval and the frame image that is displayed isoutputted.
 33. The video hard copy generation method according to claim30, wherein in the display step plural frame images held in the frameimage holding step in thumbnail images is displayed after an update ofan frame image is stopped by the print control step.
 34. The video hardcopy generation method according to claim 30 further comprising an imageedition step for editing the frame images held in the frame imageholding step according to an instruction from the operator after anupdate of an frame image in the frame image holding step is stopped bythe print control step, wherein the frame image edited by the imageedition step is outputted to the printing device by the output unit. 35.The video hard copy generation method according to claim 34, wherein inthe image edition step an unnecessary part of the frame image is cutaway according to an instruction from the operator and the position ofthe frame image is adjusted after the unnecessary part is cut away. 36.A video hard copy generation method for receiving a moving image signalby a unit of a frame image that is displayed on a screen and forgenerating a video hard copy by generating print data comprising: aframe image holding step for holding plural frame images by updating andholding received frame images; a selection step for selecting one frameimage among the frame images held by the frame image holding stepaccording to an instruction from an operator; and a print datageneration step for generating print data to print the frame image fromthe selected frame image.
 37. A video hard copy generation method forreceiving a moving image signal by a unit of a frame image that isdisplayed on a screen from an image output device to which the movingimage signal is inputted and for generating a video hard copy bygenerating print data comprising: a frame image holding step forreceiving and holding a second frame image that goes back n pieces offrames in time from the first frame image held in the image outputdevice and a third frame image that goes back m pieces of frames in timefrom the first frame image from the image output device; a selectionstep for selecting one frame image among the frame images held by theframe image holding step according to an instruction from an operator;and a print data generation step for generating print data to print theframe image from the selected frame image.
 38. A program for generatinga video hard copy by outputting an image that inputted moving imagesignal indicates to a printing device, the program causing a computer toexecute: a frame image holding step for holding at least two frameimages that are n pieces of frame images apart in time among a series ofmoving images by updating and holding the inputted moving image by aunit of a frame image displayed on a screen; a display step fordisplaying the frame images held by the frame image holding step; aselection step for selecting one frame image among the frame images heldby the frame image holding step according to an instruction by anoperator concerning the frame image displayed on the display unit; andan output step for outputting the selected frame image to the printingdevice.
 39. A program for generating a video hard copy by outputting animage that inputted moving image signal indicates to a printing device,the program causing a computer to execute: a frame image holding stepholding a first frame image, a second frame image that goes back npieces of frames in time from the first frame image and a third frameimage that goes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frameimage by updating and holding the inputted moving image by a unit of aframe image displayed on a screen; a display step for displaying theframe images held by the frame image holding step; a selection step forselecting one frame image among the frame images held by the frame imageholding step according to an instruction by an operator concerning theframe image displayed on the display step; and an output step outputtingthe selected frame image to the printing device.
 40. A program forgenerating a video hard copy by receiving a moving image signal by aunit of a frame image that is displayed on a screen and by generatingprint data, the program causing a computer to execute: a frame imageholding step for holding plural frame images by updating and holdingreceived frame images; a selection step for selecting one frame imageamong the frame images held by the frame image holding step according toan instruction from an operator; and a print data generation unit forgenerating print data to print the frame image from the selected frameimage.
 41. A program for generating a video hard copy by receiving amoving image signal by a unit of a frame image that is displayed on ascreen from an image output device to which the moving image signal isinputted and by generating print data, the program causing a computer toexecute: a frame image holding step for receiving and holding a secondframe image that goes back n pieces of frames in time from the firstframe image held in the image output device and a third frame image thatgoes back m pieces of frames in time from the first frame image from theimage output device; a selection step for selecting one frame imageamong the frame images held by the frame image holding step according toan instruction from an operator; and a print data generation step forgenerating print data to print the frame image from the selected frameimage.